Toyota Corolla XLE Review

The theory of evolution as applied to small Japanese cars:

Today's Corolla is nicer than yesterday's Camry.

Especially the top-of-the-line XLE sedan. Base price $17,550...buying as standard equipment what used to be Lexus-type options (six-speaker stereo, power everything). The tester I had added an upgraded audio system with Bluetooth, 8 speakers and steering wheel controls, an all-weather package and a set of floor and trunk mats. Price with delivery charges: Still under $20,000. The EPA says 27 city/35 highway, which vaults it into TireKicker's Top Ten Fuel Savers.

If you're trading a six-year old (or older) Camry, this Corolla will feel like you're trading up nicely.

Kia Sportage EX 4X4 Review

They grow up so fast.

Yes, the phrase is usually associated with children, but in this case, I'm talking about small SUVs in general and the Kia Sportage in particular.

Not too long ago, the Sportage looked like a pretty risky purchase...a step or two up the evolutionary ladder from such mini-SUV forerunners as the Suzuki Samurai.

But time and Kia's constant quest for improvement has made the Sportage look like a sensible choice. Lay down $23,205 for a top of the line EX 4X4 (2 wheel drive LXs with manual transmissions start at a mere $16,360) and you get a 2.7 liter V6 engine, four wheel drive, a four-speed automatic, power four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes, air conditioning, a sunroof, power windows, doors and mirrors, a six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system (with a cassette player...one of the few cars where you still have that option), trip computer and bunches more.

The tester I sampled for a week had one lone option...a $1,300 Luxury Package which added leather, heated front seats, automatic headlamps and an auto-dimming inside mirror. Oh, yeah...and a subwoofer for the audio system. Bottom line: Under $25,000. And that's for a vehicle that seats five reasonably, gets five-star crash ratings in all categories (four stars for rollover) and manages a respectable 17 city/21 highway in the EPA test (go bare-bones with the 4-cylinder and that jumps to 20 city/25 highway).

If your concept of a Kia Sportage is based on the original, take a look and a drive in an '09.

Chevrolet Malibu LTZ Review

One week.

300-plus miles.

Ten or more hours of total seat time.

I confess.

I thought it was a V6.

Imagine my surprise, then, when breaking out my notes and the window sticker from GM to find that the more-than-adequate acceleration and creamy smoothness I loved so much in the Chevrolet Malibu LTZ...was from a four-cylinder engine.

The 2.4 liter DOHC Ecotec is nothing short of a revelation...and puts Malibu in the same ballpark as the Honda Accord (most of which are sold with fours).

But wait! There's more! Teamed (as the test car was) with a six-speed automatic transmission, the Malibu gets an EPA estimated 22 city/33 highway miles per gallon...which is 2 MPG better in both city and highway than the four-cylinder Honda and gets it a place on the TireKicker Top Ten Fuel Savers list. Or did, until it was bumped off by the Toyota Corolla XLE Sedan.

The LTZ brings a lot of features to the party...18 inch wheels, touring tires, chrome exhaust tip, automatic climate control, a premium audio system, XM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth and more. Base price: $27,550. Price as tested (with two options, the Rear Power Package...great for laptop or game-toting passengers...and Red Jewel Tintcoat paint): $28,745. And in my book, every bit a match for the Accord (which I love). And then there's the five-star crash ratings (four stars for rollover).

So which would I choose? Hey, if GM can build a family sedan this good, this satisfying, this right on the mark, I wouldn't penalize them (especially now, when their survival is at stake) by buying the competition. They've earned every dollar they can make on the Malibu.

Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SE Review

Always admired the rakish good looks of the Infiniti G37 Coupe but wished the price were a little lower?

Nissan's been listening. The Nissan Altima Coupe has a lot of the same attitude and style for a chunk less change. Yes, you give up 60 horsepower, but only 12 pounds per feet of torque, so the off-the-line thrills are in the ballpark. And let's be honest...270 horsepower in a car this size is nothing to sneeze at. And there's a bunch of good stuff in the SE trim level...18 inch alumnium wheels, 8-way power driver's seat, a power moonroof, an AM/FM/CD audio system with six speakers and a bunch more for a starting price of $26,390...nine grand less than the Infiniti G Coupe.

In fact, the Altima Coupe SE is so complete the one I tested had only two options...floor and trunk mats ($175) and Vehicle Dynamic Control ($600). Total price, including destination charges, $27,780. Not too shabby. Mileage is decent, too...EPA says 19 city, 26 highway. Very much worth a look and a test drive.

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Kia Sedona EX Review

I've got to hand it to Kia. While they're rapidly improving every single product they make, they made sure that their biggest achievement would be right in the heart of the market.

Kia benchmarked the best minivans in the business (Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Town & Country) when designing the current Sedona...and it shows. The Sedona hits virtually every target, delivering 9/10ths of what Honda and Toyota do and arguably tying Chrysler, for a much lower price.

Minivans these days are $40,000 vehicles when you finish loading them up with the options. The Sedona EX I tested for a week started at $26,565...leaving a lot of room for a lot of options (The Luxury Package with leather, heated front seats, memory, adjustable pedals, three-zone climate control, sunroof, backup warning system, steering wheel audio controls and an engine immobilizer; The Premium Entertainment Package inlcuding a DVD player with 8-inch monitor, Infinity Audio system with mp3 and a CD changer and Infinity Surround Sound; The Power Package which means power sliding side doors and power liftgate; Cross bars and a tow hitch).

Bottom line for this loaded minivan? $33,000. A good five to seven grand less than the benchmarked competition. And the Sedona gets five stars in the frontal and side crash tests, four for rollover and packs an EPA estimated 16 city/23 highway mile per gallon estimate besides.

Minivans are bought on utility and value and the Kia Sedona aces both tests handily.

Dodge Avenger SXT Review

Looks aggressive, doesn't it? That's what Dodge was aiming for...to create a "Charger's Little Brother" image for the mid-size Avenger.

Unfortunately, the fun pretty much stops with the appearance. The Avenger's not a bad car by any means, but that's nowhere near enough in a segment where the competition includes the Honda Accord, the Chevy Malibu, the Ford Fusion, the Nissan Altima and the Toyota Camry.

Chrysler's mid-size offerings have been running behind this pack for years...and while the Avenger beats the old Dodge Stratus by a mile...it still comes up short in materials and refinement. The wrapper says "NASCAR"...the inside and the driving experience say "Rental Car".

There are upsides...a base price of $22,240, EPA fuel economy estimates of 19 city/27 highway and a five-star front seat side crash rating (four stars for the rear seat)...but unless you're shopping purely on price and don't care what else you could get for about the same money, there are just too many other choices.

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